Ments



NITE STATES ATENT F ICE.

JOHN H. STEVENS, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGN OR, BY MESNE ASSIGN-MENTS, TO THE OELLULOID COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

MANUFACTURE OF souo COMPOUNDS OF PYROXYLIN'.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 517,987, dated April10, 1894;

Applioationfiled June 9, 1890. Serial No. 354.786. (No specimens.)

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN H. STEVENS, ofthe city of Newark, county ofEssex, and

State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin the Mannfacture of Solid or Massive Compounds of Pyroxylin, of whichimprovements the'following is a specification.

This invention relates to the manufacture or manipulation of thosevarieties of material designated as solid or massive compounds ofpyroxyline, or those compounds in which the process of conversion iseffected while the material is in a solid or massive condition, which,as is well known, have already been the subject of extensiveinvestigation and numerous patents, and it has for its object theproduction of anew composition of matter, byb ringing together into newrelations and with novel effects certain substances well known tochemistry, as hereinafter described.

The distinctive novelty of this improvement in the art of manufactureconsists. in the employment, in combination with pyroxyline, of thesolid substance known as phenyl acetamide (acetanilid), and in such amanner that the presence of the phenyl acetamide gives the property ofplasticity to the compound and renders it susceptible of conver-.

sion into an amorphous condition, or permits its manipulation or changeof shape by the ordinary means employed in connection with other solidpyroxyline compounds, and in addition furnishes a compound possessingentirely new and unique properties.

Wherever I use the word phenylacetamide, in this specification, I alsoinclude the substance having the name, acetanilid, the latter being thename of the commercial article. In Watts Dictionary of Chemistry,London, 1883, volume 4, page 114, acetanilid and phenylacetamide aredescribed as identical, with a melting-point of 112 centigrade.

The two substances are also pronounced the same in Beilsteins Haridbuch,second edition, volume 2, page 264, and in Roscoe and SchorlemmersTreatise on Chemistry, Appletons edition of 1870, volume 3, page 210.Butin Beilsteins Handbuch der Orgdnischen Chemie, second edition, volume2, page 268, acetanilid is described as a distinct substance, melting at112 centigrade, and, in the same book, page 841, phenyl-acetamideisdescribed as a distinct substance, melting at from 154 to seem to havebeen originally confounded with each other, I prefer the use of theacetan-ilid of commerce to the true acetanilid-pheny1-acetamide,-because it has a lower boiling point, and also because thetrue phenyl-acetamide is so difficult of production that it willprobably never be of commercial importance.

My invention is based upon the fact that v phenyl acetamide when meltedby heat is an active solvent of pyroxyline, the discovery of which factI believe to be entirely original with me. v

The pyroxyline employed in this manufacture is, as is well understood,of the variety designated as soluble, to distinguish it from the highlyexplosive kind used in blasting and for military purposes. That is, itis soluble ina variety of substances known as solvents of pyroxyline, ofwhich a mixture of ether and alcohol is the best known example. It isgenerally produced by the action of nitric and sulphuric acids upon someform of cellulose, such as cotton or paper. Hence its name,nitro-cellulose.

Com pounds of pyroxyline, as is well known, are made by combining ordissolving pyroxyline with one or more of its solvents. For the purposeof'imparting to the compound, opacity, color, hardness, flexibility, orother desired quality, pigments, colors, and other substances aresometimes combined with the dissolved pyroxyline, as is well understood.It is also known that these compounds vary from the condition of densesolids to thin liquids, depending on the proportion of fluid present inthe compound.

The earliest known pyroxyline compounds were thin solutions made withliquid sdlvents, and were the subject of practical applications longbefore the solid compoundsw hose production awaited the discovery andperfection of intricate methods and mechanical appliances-were possible.The extreme simplicity of the liquid solutions,whose manufac- ICO turemerely involved dissolving the pyroxyline to a sufficiently fluidcondition by ordinary means, permitted their being early brought to astate of comparative perfection, so far as method went, and,consequently no new important uses for these liquid compounds have beenfound in twenty years; although their manufacture has become moreextended through the employment of new liquid solvents discovered fromtime to time, the simple nature of the methods employed permitting theiradoption whenever their properties were such as to be desirable in thecompound.

Although there is a wide difference between thenature and applicationsof the liquid and solid compounds, the preferred liquid compounds beingof an extremely fluid nature, and the preferred solid compounds beingcomparatively hard and dense, to some extent, in certain limitedapplications, the dividing line between the two classes of compounds isnot so distinctly marked. Generally speaking, and leaving outofconsideration these minor distinctions, the fluid compounds are thosein which the proportion of solvent is suiiiciently large to permit thesolution to flow, or to be easily poured from one vessel into another,and without the'aid of mechanical pressure or elevated temperatures. Onthe other hand, the solid compounds are those in which the proportion ofsolvent is so small that the solution will not flow, but appears as asolid or thick pasty mass, which requires the aid of rollers or othermasticating apparatus, or the additional influence of elevatedtemperatures, to render it capable of being altered in shape or mixed orotherwise manipulated. The simple character of the liquid compounds, andtheir limited application as compared with the solid compounds, isillustrated both in the history of the art and in the well knowncommercial uses of these compounds. Thus the liquid compounds are almostexclusively employed as simple transparent solutions to be spread orflowed upon surfaces, with the result of depositing thin films, asartificial cuticle, or protective coatings for paper, metals, 850.; orthese films are used, without further manipulation, for photographicpurposes. On the other hand, the solid compounds are made in largemasses of dense homogeneous material, colored and formed to closelyimitate natural and other substances; for instance, fine marbles,tortoise shell, ivory, amher, due. Further,these are so formed and ofsuch a nature that they can be readily molded or otherwise shaped intoperfectly uniform sheets of any thickness, or tubes, rods and fine wireof any length. These again by reason of their peculiar composition andperfectly homogeneous solidity, are manufactured into jewelry, cutlery,toilet articles, collars, piano keys, 85c.

It was not alone the application of mechanical methods, or ingeniousprocesses of mixing, which brought about the comparative state ofperfection of this manufacture, but, in common with the liquidcompounds, the progress of the art has depended largely upon thediscovery and application of new solvents or menstrua useful in thismanufacture. The solvents can generally be classed under twoheadsliquids and solids. There is awide difference, however, between theaction and applicability of the liquid and solid solvents. The liquidsolvents being fluids, which, whenever used with pyroxyline, soften orrender it fluid, according to the proportion employed and otherconditions, while the solid solvent solution of pyroxyline is only madeat elevated temperatures, whatever the proportion used, and alwaysresults in a hard compound due to the solid nature of both ingredients;thus confining the employment of such' solvcut, when used alone, to thesolid variety of pyroxyline compounds. it is true that modified resultsare obtained by combining both classes of solvents, a small proportionof liquid permitting the solid solvent to act at sufficientlylow'temperatures so that the solid compounds are workable in heatedrolls, and a large proportion forming a fiuid,compound useful as avarnish, or spreading solution. WVhile solid solvents like camphor havebeen so employed, such is the nature of pyroxyline compounds, ashereinafter explained, that the camphor loses its distinguishingcharacteris tics and importance asa solvent in proportion as the liquidsare increased in amount, though it still retains sufficient of itspeculiar nature to modify the compound by its presence. Again, I havediscovered that some solid solvents are so difierent in their naturefrom camphor that even this property disappears, and unless they arecombined with camphor, their usefulness is exclusively confined to thesolid compoundsor, at least, whatever there is of utilityin applyingthem to this manufacture manifests itselfso differently in the variouscompounds as to make a broad distinction between their application toliquids, as distinguished from solid compounds. In other words, liquidsolvents are generally useful in all compounds of pyroxyline, while somesolvents are more especially fitted for the compounds, and some, unlikecamphor, which is more or less of universal application, are almostexclusively confined to the solid modification. Hence, the action ofliquid solvents is more apparent and simpler, while the discovery andapplication of solid solvents, which only exhibit all of their usefulaction under peculiar conditions, is more difficult. It thereforefollows, naturally, that there are fewer known solid solvents thanliquid ones, although the solids are especially applicable to the mostpopular form of compound, and therefore their discovery is veryimportant.

The simple action of the liquids has rendered their discoverycomparatively easy, but, doubtless, as in the case of camphor, solidsolvents of great practical utility have IIO IIS

been employed in pyroxyline solutions, for the production of certaineffects, in such a way that their usefulness has had no opportunity forsufficiently instructive demonstration; and what might have beenvaluable inventions, if followedup by a proper course of experimenting,have been lost to the art.

The simple use of asubstance'in connection with pyroxyline, or the merediscovery that certain menstruawilldissolvepyroxyline,does notnecessarily involve the availability of such mens-trua as usefulsolvents in the manufacture of pyroxyline compounds, for some materialswill dissolve in, or combine with pyroxyline solutions, but theirpresence adds no new and useful feature, and is more frequentlydetrimental, so that the solutions are better for theirabsence. Besides,somesolvcuts of pyroxyline are utterly useless ones and of no practicalbenefit to the art. Hence the mere discovery of solvent properties of asubstance may be insufiicient to convey any instructive idea to the art,and it is only after a practical illustration of its utility such as toenable the user to say that it is a useful solvent that itsapplicabilityis proven beyond the necessity for further experiment. Thuswhile the use of ether and alcohol as the menstrua for the fluidcompounds known as surgical and photographic collodion is perfectlypracticable, it is well known that numerous attempts to utilize etherand alcohol in the production of solid compounds were attended by alarge waste of capital and results' so discouraging that these solventswere abandoned as inapplicable to such manufacture, or, at least,unprofitable to use by reason of the uncertain character of the result.In

regard to solid solvents the same holds true,

but to a greater extent, and the mere fact that the presence of a solidsubstance in liquid compounds results beneficially is no de1non strationthat it would also be useful in a solid compound, although the conversemight be true. Thus, Cutting, in 1854, added camphor to ether-alcoholcollodion to obtain effects beneficial in the evaporated solution whenapplied to photographic purposes, but Without the slighest intimationthat camphor was to be the substance which, through the laterexperiments of Parkes and Hyatt was demonstrated to be of extraordinaryutility in manufacturing solid compounds; and which, as a result ofHyatts discovery of its individual solvent powers when heated, becamethe foundation of the present method of manufacturing solidcompoundsthat has resulted in such a remarkable commercial and financialsuccess.

The fact that a solid body is a solvent of pyroxyline when, melted byheat so distinguishes it from all other substances, solid or liquid,that a proposed use of any such body in making solid compounds shouldinvariably be based upon a knowledge of its solvent powers, or suchdescription as would enable the operator in the art to use it understandroxyline solvents which, while enhancing the solvent action, exhibit apower to dissolve pyroxyline only when combined with other solvents, andwhen used alone are utterly valueless. This is also true of someliquids, asis well understood.

While it is true as before stated, that the solid compounds ofpyroxyline have been brought to a state of comparative perfection,

these compounds are nevertheless, susceptible of greater improvement sothat the range of their usefulness can be still further extended andtheir properties so modified as to remove a great many objections whichthe present state of the art can find no remedy for. Having, as anexpert manufacturer of these compounds, appreciated the importance ofthese .facts, I have made a special study of the subject and believethat my experiments have resulted in such novel improvements as willproducestill greater perfection in this art.

The present invention is exclusively confined to the manufacture ofsolid pyroxyline compounds, and is based upon the fact that phenylacetamide, a substance known in commerce, is a solvent of pyroxylinewhen melted by heat. I believe that Iam the original discoverer of thisfact, and I have applied it successfully to the production of a new andunique compound of pyroxyline having peculiar characteristics anddiffering from any of the compounds heretofore known, as hereinafterdescribed.

In combining phenyl acetamide with pyroxyline, I make use of theprocesses usually employed when camphor is the solid solvent; And'theresults, to someextent, are similar, for the phenyl acetamide remains apart of the finished compound, and imparts to it the susceptibility ofbeing readily molded under IIO heat and pressure. There are, however,the

following important differences. The high temperature at which camphormelts limits its practicalemployment as a solvent alone, or uncombinedwith a trace of alcohol, or its equivalent; for the use of great heatinjures these compounds by its tendency to decompose the pyroxyline, or,at least, to discolor it. The usual practice has been to employ alcohol,or some similar solvent in connection -with the camphor, to so'lower itsmelting point that the compound could be manipulated at comparativelylow temperatures in rolls, and the molding operation on the seasonedproduct be conducted at lower temperatures than are possible whencamphor alone is the solvent. The effect of this has beento render theseasoning and molding of these compounds very delicate operations,requiring great skill and careful treatment; and hence it has beensomewhat difficult to produce uniformly perfect results, and a certainpercentage of the goods are of second quality, or have to be classed asscrap to be run over into cheaper grades of the product.

The compound made with phenyl acetamide can be thoroughly seasoned ordried without any impairment of its molding properties, the low meltingpoint and non-volatile nature of the phenyl acetamide giving to the dryproduct the permanent quality of easy plasticity, as distinguished fromcamphor compound,from which the camphor is gradually evaporating.Another desirable effect obtained by the employment of this new solventis that it renders the dry material much less liable to warp or shrink,or to loss of weight, which are very annoying features of the camphorprocess. The camphoraceous odor of the older compounds has also been agreat objection, and has limited somewhat their usefulness inapplications where the smell is undesirable. The inodorous character ofphenyl acetamide does away with these objections also, and furnishes acompound more nearly resembling the natural substances it is intended toimitate.

In making an absolutely odorless, and permanent compound,l grind thepyroxyline and phenyl acetamide together to a fine pulp. This should bedone in the presence of sufficient moisture to render the mixturenon-inflammable but the particular mode of grinding or mixing is no partof my invention, and incorporate with it such coloring matters orpigments as are desired in the final compound, as is well understood.The grinding of all the ingredients can be done simultaneously, or thepyroxyline can be preliminarily reduced to pulp in a paper engine, or byany other well known means, and afterward mixed with the otheringredients, and further ground in any suitable apparatus, such as aBogardus mill, as understood. For this compound good proportions are onehundred parts of pyroxyline and fifty parts of phenyl acetamide, byweight. After a very thorough grinding of the ingredients, I prefer topress the resultant mixture, if moisture is to be expelled, into thincakes and submit them to pressure between blotting papers, in order toextract the water,in the well known manner, or in accordance with theprocess described in United States Letters Patent, No. 269,968, of April15, 1884, issued to John W. Hyatt, W'illiam H. Wood and myself. Thecoloring ingredients vary with the properties desired in the finalcompound, as is well understood. Thus, for a plain white material, Iemploy about twenty to forty parts by weight of zinc oxide, modifyingthe whiteness, if necessary, by the addition of blue or other tint.Other plain colors, such as red or blue, are formed by combining withthe pyroxyline and phenyl acetamide from one to five per cent. ofVermilion for the red, and ultramarine blue for the blue color. It isunnecessary to give further illustrations for the coloring of pyroxylinecompounds is well understood by operators in this art, and all of theefiects necessary in the production of the various imitations of naturalsubstances and the different applications of this material have longbeen produced.

In making the compound for rolling, the dried cakes produced by pressingthe wet pulp, containing the solvents and coloring materials, betweenblotting papers, may be broken in small pieces and mixed with from aboutforty to fifty parts of wood alcohol or preferably a mixture of woodalcohol and grain alcohol (ethylic alcohol). This mixture should beinclosed in an air tight vessel and permitted to stand for severalhours, generally over night, in order to allow the liquid solvent tobecome fairly welldiifused throughout the mass. After this, is done, themixture is ready for mastication, which is performed in heated rollersat about 120, as is customary in manufacturing such solid compounds asthis patent relates to. The effect of working the mixture in heatedrolls is to transform it into a dough-like mass, and thoroughly combinethe solvents with the pyroxyline. The heat generated by the friction ofrolls, which at the commencement of the operation are entirely cold,will be sufficient it continued long enough, and even this will finallyresult in too high a temperature unless controlled by passing cold waterthrough the rolls. After this operation has proceeded far enough, as iswell understood,-

the material is removed from the rollers in a condition very muchresembling the ordinary compound made with camphor; that is, in a roughporous condition which requires subsequent treatment in so-calledstuffing machinery, or pressed, where heat and pressure can be applied,in order to solidify it and form it into the various shapes, such astubes, rods, or sheets, required for the difierentpurposes to whichthese compounds are applied.

As is well understood in the art some coloring materials or othersubstances desirable in the compound cannot be combined with thepyroxyline and solvent during the grinding, or mixing process, onaccount of their solubility in the water used to render the compound non-infiammablesome aniline dyes, for instance. I pursue the usual practicewith such colors, &c., and add them to the compound either dissolved inthe liquid part of the solvent, or by suitable means when the materialis rolled.

When using camphor, it has been customary to employ mainly ethylic andmethylic alcohols, although to a less extent, but just as effectively,other liquids have been used. I have found that phenyl acetamide isquite distinct from camphor in its solubility in various liquids, andthe use of ethylic alcohol alcohol); itis more harmonious with methylicalcohol.

It is the practicein this art, in making or uslng compounds containing asolid solvent such as camphor, and a liquid solvent such as alcohol, toform the compound into various shapes such as sheets, rods, and tubes,and then to subject these to what is known as a seasoning process theobject being to drive off the excess of liquid solvent, leaving behindpractically the solid solvent. Thus, for instance, the most popularcompound in commerce at present, .in its hard or seasoned state,consists essentially of pyroxyline and camphor with the usual coloringmatters, &c., in combination. The presence of camphor imparts a valuablecharacteristic to such compound, for it enables it to be molded inheated dies into any desired shape, the application of heat and pressuresoftening or liquifying the camphor so that it acts on the pyroxyline incombination with it as a solvent, or to so dissolve or soften it thatthe compound flows, or can be manipulated at the pleasure of theoperator. To some extent-,therefore, the employment of heat and pressureto effect a softening of the dried or hardened pyroxyline compound,containing a solid solvent, even though it has not been made originallyin rollers, but has been made by the aid of liquid solvents, resemblesthe action which takes place when the solid solvent is intimatelycombined with the pyroxyline Without the presence of liquid solvents,and the mixture converted under heat and pressure in dies or othersuitable apparatus. This resemblance is still more striking whenemploying the hence, the compound can be thoroughly deprived of allliquids before subjecting it to the final molding operations, and, insuch a case, the phenyl acetamide is absolutely or practically the onlysolvent acting on the nitro cellulose. I mean to be distinctlyunderstood, however, as claiming that even in the presence of a smallproportion of liquid solvent, or of such proportion as wouldalone beineffective for the purpose of usefully causing the pyroxyline to flow,under heat and pressure when molded the phenyl acetamide would be actingas a pyroxyline solvent when subjected to heat and pressure. In otherwords, my phenyl acetamide-pyroxyline compound, whether made by simplycombining phenyl acetamide and pyroxyline, or formed with the aid ofliquid solvents in heated rolls, or by dissolving the pyroxyline in aliquid solution of phenyl acetamide, or in anyequivalent manner, when ina dry or seasoned condition, or a comparatively hard state, due to theabsence or removal of sufficient liquid to soften it, is in such acondition that when it is subjected to heat and pressure it depends forits plastic property, or susceptibilty of being flowed under heat andpressure, upon the solvent powers of the phenyl acetamide, and thereforeany such heating, or the production of these conditions or efiects, isan employment of the phenyl acetamide, made efficient by heat, as asolvent of pyroxyline. The use of phenyl acetamide in solid or massivecompounds of pyroxyline is not incompatible, however, with theemployment of camphor. On the contrary, the use of phenyl acetamide inthe camphor compounds imparts some of its novel properties to suchcompounds, namely, by enabling the camphor to melt at a much lowertemperature by reason of its association therewith, and thus removingone of theobjectionable features associated with the employment ofcamphor alone, as asolid solvent. Consequently, compounds containingthis combination solvent can be more readily molded at safe temperatureswithout the necessary presence of a residue of the alcoholic or otherliquid solvent, thus rendering the manipulation of the camphor compounduniform and certain. In making such compound,I grind the camphor, phenylacetamide, pyroxyline, and other necessary ingredients (preferably inthe presence of water, and then dried in the regular manner). Ethylic 0rmethylic alcohols or other suitable liquid, may then be added to themixture, and the whole stirred together and left over night in an airtight vessel. The resultant mass is masticated in rolls and formed intoshapes in the" usual and well known manner. The finished product willhave the characteristics already described as pertaining to thesecompounds. Goodproportions for this latter compound are one hundredparts pyroxyline, forty parts camphor, ten parts phenyl acetamide, andabout forty to forty-five parts of either of the alcohols mentioned, oracetone can be used in place of the alcohols.

In describing the practical manipulation of my new compounds, I haverecommended processes which a practical experience in the manufacture ofthese compounds has demonstrated to be preferred, as giving exact andeconomical results. I do not limitmyself to such processes", becauseuseful results can be secured by departing more or less widely fromration, and the mastication would necessarily have to be more thoroughto compensate for the absence of an intimate mixture, or the superiorconditions afforded by the pieces of pressed cake. The drying moisturefrom the wet pyroxyline need not necessarily be done by means ofblotting paper, as a more exposure to the air would permit theevaporation of the water; and, in fact, a novel property of my mixtureresults from the non-volatile nature of phenyl acetamide which wouldpermit such exposure to the air without loss of solvent, as when camphoris employed. In regard to proportions also, it has been the custom inmaking compounds by the solid or massive process to vary the proportionof solid or liquid, according to the effect it was desired to produce,and I might give numerous examples of changes in proportion differingfrom those which I have recommended as examples; but I regard this asunnecessary, and I simply state that the proportion of solid solvent canbe reduced, or increased, or the liquid solvent can be used in greateror less amount. It is simply necessary to keep in mind that sufficientof the solid solvent must be employed to give to the finished result thenecessary quality of plasticity under heat. If plasticity is not desiredto any great extent, a very small amount of the solid solvent can beemployed. On the other hand, too large a proportion would tend to makethe compound flow too readily when heated, or would weaken it by reasonof the consequent lessening of the amount of pyroxyline present, uponwhich, as is well understood, these compounds depend for their strengthand other peculiar characteristics. The use of rolls or any othermasticating machinery can also be dispensed with if found convenient,and replaced with dies or with stufiing machinery or similar apparatus,in which the compounds can be converted under heat and pressure, or theconversion may be eifected by forcing through nozzles into variousdesirable shapes. I would recommend the rolls, however, as furnishingthe most convenient means .for a thorough mixing or masticating of thematerials, although the converting processes can be performed instuffing machinery with a less waste of solvent when using carefullyground mixtures.

Among the advantages I claim for this new compound of pyroxyline inwhich phenyl acetamide is the solid solvent are that the operations ofmixing are carried on without the loss by evaporation incident to theuse of camphor, thus permitting a freer use of drying methods, and alsorendering the air of the work room more pleasant and healthful than whenfilled with camphor fumes. There is practically no loss of the solidsolvent by evaporation, which is due to the non-volatile property. Thecomparatively unchangeable character of the compound due to thenon-volatile nature of the solid solvent employed also enlarges thefield for the application of compounds made in this manner. Many I difliculties, more or less connected with or due to the continual warping ofthe older materials containing camphor, will be remedied by theapplication of my new compound to such uses.-

I would mention drawing instruments, parts of machinery, playing cards,and other printed matter, and also articles requiring to be nicelyfitted together, like boxes, as examples. My new compound will also befound much harder and more elastic than the compounds made with camphor.When used alone as the solvent, of course, it is limited to What isknown as the solid or plastic process of conversion but this process mayalso be practiced as above shown by adding such small quantity of liquidsolvents, as will not make the compounds flow or result in what is knownas the fluid process of conversion.

I have in conjunction with Frank (J. Axtell, filed another application,dated June 9, 1890, Serial No. 354,822,for the use of this ingredient inthe fluid process of conversion because spe cial means are oftenrequired to render it effective in the fluid compounds, and to preventit from injuring them by its presence, means of remedying which has beenspecified and claimed in said other application; and the use of theingredient in the solid or plastic process is therefrom to be definitelydistinguised. I have demonstrated its extraordinary utility in the solidvarieties, as herein described, and the novelty of my present invcntiondepends on such demonstration, according to the principles hereinbeforeset forth.

I wish, it distinctly understood that even if pyroxyline be treated bythe liquid mode of conversion and the liquid is then evaporated and thenphenyl acetamide be present in proportions such as to produce, afterevaporation of the liquid solvents, what is substantially a compound ofpyroxyline and phenyl acetamide, any heating or treatment of theresulting solid which will develop the latent solvent power of thephenyl acetamide, so that it will soften, dissolve, or make plasticpyroxyline, is a use of the solvent powers of the phenyl acetamide asalready explained, and such operation is within the invention herein setforth. a

It will be understood by those skilled in this art that the order inwhich the solvents or converting agents of pyroxyline, are introducedinto the compound where a number of such solvents are used, does notnecessarily affect the result. Thus, for instance, the pyroxyline mayhave been dissolved or converted by the use of one or more of thesolvents,

solvents or converting agents, because they IIO are introduced after theoriginal fibrous structure of the py'roxyline has been broken down,since their introduction does convert the compound finally procured,into a compound diiferent to that which would be obtained if they werenot used. And it is with this understanding that I employ the wordssolvent and converting ag'enti'n this specification.

While, as above stated, I have divided the forms of pyroxyline compoundsinto the two classes of solid and fluid, nevertheless, as I believemyself to have been the first to use phenyl-acetamide (acetanilid) as asolvent or converting agent in pyroxyline compounds, I claim itbroadly,'as such in this application.

Simultaneously herewith I file another application, Serial No. 354,785,(designated as Case 0,) for a similar invention relating to the use ofdinitro-toluol in pyroXyline compounds, but the present inventiondiffers from this in certain important particulars, as that/ the phenylacetamide compound does not soften at so low a temperature, is not soinflammable, and is more colorless thamdinitrotoluol compounds.

This application is designated as Case A of June 2, 1890, to distinguishit from other applications to be filed simultaneously herewith.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In the art of manufacturing compounds of pyroxyline, the subjectingof such pyroxyline to the solvent or converting action ofphenyl-acetamide (acetanilid).

2. A new composition of matter consisting of pyroxyline and acetanilidsubstantially as described.

3. The process of manufacturing solid or massive pyroxyline compoundswhich consists in mixing phenyl acetamide (acetanilid) and pyroxyline,and subsequently subjecting the resulting compound to heat and pressuresists in mixing pyroxyline, phenyl acetamide,

(acetanilid,) and a liquid menstruum or liq.- uid menstrua, andsubsequently subjecting the resulting compound to heat and pressuresuficient to render the composition plastic, substantially as described.

5. The process of manufacturing solid or massive pyroxyline compoundswhich consists in mixing pyroxyline, phenyl-acetamide (acetanilid) andcamphor, and subsequently subjecting the resulting compound to heat andpressure suflicient to render the composition plastic, substantially asdescribed.

6. The process of manufacturing solid or massive pyroxyline compoundswhich consists in'mixing pyroxyline, phenyl-acetamide(acetani1id);camphor and a liquid menstruum or liquid menstrua andsubsequently subjectin g the resulting compound to heat and pressuresufficient to render the composition plastic, substantially asdescribed.

7. As a new composition of matter, a solid or massive pyroxylinecompound containing phenyl-acetamide (acetanilid) and pyroxyline,substantially as set forth.

8. As a new composition of matter, a solid or massive pyroxylinecompound, containing pyroxyline, -pl1'enylacetamide (acetanilid) andcamphor, substantially 'as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses,this'2d day of June, 1890.

JOHN H. STEVENS. r

Witnesses:

J AMES J. Oosenovn, WM. H. BERRIGAN, Jr.

